Pop-Up Solar Panels Charge Vehicles, Tractors

Pop-Up Solar Panels Charge Vehicles Tractors ENERGY Solar With increasingly heavy demands placed on the electrical grid due to more electric vehicles and equipment Tom McCalmont of Paired Power developed the idea of the “Pair Tree ” a pop-up solar canopy to charge electric vehicles and agricultural equipment without using the standard grid     “A farm’s electrical boxes often don’t have much capacity and tend to be in places where the grid isn’t very strong ” says McCalmont “It’s a barrier to farming with electric vehicles because they generally require more power than the farm can deliver Our canopy gives them a realistic option ”     He explains their 14 by 18-ft Pair Tree solar panel has a height of 10 ft so there’s room underneath to charge large equipment It can also be used for charging swappable batteries plus features electrical storage capabilities The system provides about 5 kW of power and 42 kW hours of energy which is enough for light farming applications including small tractors electric wheelbarrows sprayers and mowers     “Charging practicalities depend on the farm ” McCalmont says “A piece of equipment can charge when it’s not in use or we can charge interchangeable batteries so a tractor can be working then come back and switch to the fresh battery ”     While the Pair Tree project was announced just last fall McCalmont says interest and demand are quickly ramping up The first deliveries were planned for June 2023 In the future he envisions the canopy technology expanding for use with larger tractors plus cars ATVs UTVs and other electrically powered equipment     Pair Tree components are gathered and assembled at the company’s California headquarters     McCalmont estimates that for a winery or medium-sized farm the cost would be around $70 000     “First while this may seem like a lot many incentives are available to bring the cost down ” he says “Secondly you’re not buying energy so over the life of the system let’s say 20 years all the fuel is free It’s a dramatic savings ”     Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Tom McCalmont Paired Power 1624 Dell Avenue Campbell Calif 95008 ph 650-701-7247; info@pairedpower com; www pairedpower com

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